www.rgs.qld.edu.au/dance

Thank you for showing interest in The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy (DMTA). This prospectus provides an insight into the Academy and what it can offer individuals with an interest in dance, speech & drama, vocal and musical theatre. It outlines the features of the Academy, information on staff, terms and conditions, the latest fee schedule, Academy attire and uniform information, contact details and enrolment forms. The Academy looks forward to welcoming you to the Grammar family. Photo credits: Michael Kennedy Photography

Classes The Academy offers many classes aiming to accommodate students who are interested in dance and musical theatre as a recreational pursuit and to those students interested in extending their skills and excelling in the various areas of dance, voice and speech & drama. DMTA supports the implementation of the highly regarded and world- renowned RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) Classical Ballet syllabus from Pre-Primary to Solo Seal. The studio also implements the highly respected ADA (Australasian Dance Association) syllabus in Tap and Jazz from Pre-Primary to Majors. Speech & Drama and Vocal classes implement the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) syllabus with Highland Dance following the NDAA syllabus (National Dancing Association of Australia). All of these syllabi are highly respected and taught throughout Australia and internationally, providing the students with well-known, professional syllabi in all areas of the performing arts. They are also recognised by the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) with some senior level examinations offering credit towards the Queensland Certificate of Education in Years 10, 11 and 12. Features The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy provides boys and girls aged from 3 years, a unique opportunity to engage in a range of classes in the various facets of dance, vocal and speech & drama, with fully qualified, experienced and talented staff. The Academy is open to the whole community and accepts students who do not attend RGS as well as students who do attend the School. The Academy s goal is for Central Queensland children to develop expertise in several genres of dance, as well as vocal, speech & drama and musical theatre. The Academy offers excellence in personal tuition tailored for the individual and fosters a disciplined, positive and supportive environment, allowing students to excel at the same time as experiencing the love and enjoyment of performing. Students enjoy programmes that promote healthy living, confidence, self-esteem, important thinking skills as well as gaining a sense of coordination, rhythm, musicality, style and a chance to make life-long friendships with other members of the Academy. These important life skills help promote the whole individual living up to the School s motto, Macte Virtute et Litteris (Grow in Character and Scholarship). Members of the Academy share a strong sense of family and belonging, with staff, parents and students sharing the same goal of providing a wonderful, positive environment for the students to explore and refine their artistic skills.

Pre-school Programme Students aged 3 or 4 years of age can enrol in our Pre-school Programme. This exciting class offers our very young students some basic dance technique, whilst fostering a love and enjoyment of dance and performing. Students are given the opportunity to experience a range of dance styles including classical ballet, jazz, musical theatre and novelty with basic rhythms and sound exploration as an introduction to tap. When students reach Prep school age, they can enrol in specialist classes of various genres of dance. Classical Ballet As ballet is at the core of every dance style, RAD Classical Ballet classes teach students deportment, turn out, discipline, core body strength and classical technique. Some Character (National) work is also taught throughout various grades of the RAD syllabus. Graded classes from Primary to Vocational Grades are offered, with pointe work available to eligible students as they progress through the Major Grades. Classical Ballet is highly encouraged for the more serious dancer/performer. Private classes may be arranged and are subject to availability.

Tap Tap dancing is one of those art forms that allows a dancer to explore their creativity with movements and rhythms. This popular dance style covers a range of styles from traditional tap to the more modern tap style being presented by leading tap companies around the world. An open class is offered at intermediate/senior level with ADA syllabus classes offered from Primary to Majors. Private classes may be arranged and are subject to availability. Highland Scottish Highland Dancing has a history and tradition spanning back centuries. This highly energetic and technically exciting dance form allows students to combine good technique, stamina and strength of footwork, upper body, arm and hand movements. Classes are offered for NDAA examinations, competitions and recreational dancing.

Musical Theatre A feature of the Academy is the provision of professional tuition in musical theatre, which includes song & dance and cabaret styles. Students participate in exciting and creative classes focusing on performance involving acting, singing and dancing. Tuition is provided by a specialist vocal/drama teacher as well as a specialist dance teacher. Various styles of musical theatre are explored, featuring popular musicals from Broadway and West End. Open classes are offered at three levels (Junior, Intermediate, Senior).

Jazz Jazz classes focus on building flexibility and strength as well as learning jazz technique. Through the use of modern music, students explore movements requiring core-strength, flexibility, dynamic presentation and high energy. An open class is offered at intermediate/senior level with ADA syllabus classes offered from Primary to Majors. Private classes may be arranged and are subject to availability. Hip Hop/ Commercial Dance A major influence to dance in recent years has been the expansion of hip hop and commercial dance styles. This type of dance has a myriad of styles and has become incredibly popular on social media and television. This fun and energetic class is offered as an open class.

Contemporary This class draws upon concepts of classical and modern dance techniques and covers various styles of contemporary dance. Free movement allows the dancer to take their classical ballet training and apply this technique to more free flowing, lyrical dance movements. Contemporary dance incorporates the work of early modern, later modern and post modern choreographers as well as choreographers exploring new directions. Contemporary dance usually breaks the rules of classical ballet with more emphasis on parallel base, principles of contraction and release, fall, rebound, recovery and suspension. It involves a broad range of styles and technique systems but usually communicates/expresses an idea, concept or feeling. Dancers have the opportunity to explore a range of styles in this class. Strength and Conditioning An important part of all dance styles is the strengthening and conditioning of the body to be able to execute a wide range of movements safely. These classes are highly encouraged, especially for the more serious dancer. The Academy offers strength and conditioning classes to help students work on core strength, balance, flexibility, stamina and safe dance principles.

Speech & Drama, Vocal The Academy offers professional Speech & Drama lessons in various levels under the AMEB syllabus, covering various levels and strands of the syllabus. The classes provide students with a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of drama and public speaking. Concepts covered include voice techniques, interpreting skills, monologues, duologues, poetry, mime, improvisation, characterisation and role-playing, to name a few. These classes along with the musical theatre, vocal and dance classes, aim at producing performers who are Triple Threats, skilled in the areas of dance, vocal and drama. Group Drama classes are offered at three levels (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) with individual Speech & Drama lessons subject to availability. (Note: RGS students apply through the RGS Music Department for private Speech & Drama classes.) Professional, private, individual vocal classes are also on offer and are subject to availability. The classes teach correct voice technique and help the student to explore the various singing styles from classical to modern. Please note: RGS students apply through the RGS Music Department for private vocal classes. Examinations, Eisteddfods, Performances, Seminars and Workshops For the more serious student, examinations are offered in RAD Classical Ballet, ADA Tap, ADA Jazz, NDAA Highland, AMEB Speech & Drama and AMEB Vocal. These examinations are not compulsory and are offered to students who the teacher feels would benefit and who are ready for such endeavours. Students wishing to sit for Classical Ballet, Highland, Tap and Jazz examinations are required to take extra classes throughout parts of the year and attend seminars and holiday classes close to examinations. Please see the Head of DMTA for details. The Academy also enters the annual Rockhampton Eisteddfod in Dance, Vocal and Speech & Drama sections. Students may be invited to enter the local eisteddfod as part of solo, duo, trio or group items. Entry is by invitation only. The Academy also takes select groups to other eisteddfods in Australia. Performances exist each year for all members of the Academy. Every second year a major production involving all members of the Academy is staged at the Pilbeam Theatre with every other year offering a Presentation Showcase to parents and family members, to highlight what has been prepared in weekly classes. Throughout each year, various seminars and workshops are held for students of the Academy. These may be for RAD, ADA, NDAA and AMEB examination students and also open seminars/ workshops for all members of DMTA. This allows the students to work with national and international professionals.

For more information If you are interested in finding out more about The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy or to arrange an enrolment interview, please contact: Michael Robertson Head of DMTA E dance@rgs.qld.edu.au P 0409 262 349 The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy Archer Street Rockhampton QLD 4700

www.rgs.qld.edu.au/dance